Relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and English performance as foreign language

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and foreign language score, among primary and secondary education students in a group of 223 students (111 of primary school and 122 of secondary school) from Baleares region, Spain, aged between 9 and 16 years old that participated in the study. A statistical regression analysis was carried out for the comparison of the two variables (cardiorespiratory fitness and English subject score) in primary and secondary education. Physical fitness was assessed using the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and the values obtained were shown in VO2max. English subject scores were collected at the end of the year prior to the test. The results obtained did not reveal any correlation between VO2max and final English score in primary school (r=.04, p=.65). However, dataset revealed a positive small correlation between VO2max and final English score in secondary school (r=.26, p=.01). These findings suggest that while physical activity may have some positive effect on final score, the relationship is complex and may be influenced by various other factors. Further research is needed to better understand the relationship between physical activity and learning, as well as the potential moderating factors involved.